casional glimpses of blue, and sometimes in
the far distance a shining peak bathed in crimson light.

All this was natural enough; and, were it not that they had their return
tickets in their pockets, Magnus minor and Joe would probably have been
content to enjoy the show for an hour or so.

What did concern them, when they got to their feet, was to observe that,
so far from being as they supposed, and could have testified on solemn
affidavit, on the top of the mountain, the ground now appeared to rise
on every side except that occupied by the cauldron.

Whichever way they tried to walk they found themselves going uphill.

"Rum start," said Magnus minor, after ramping round in a semicircle and
finding no trace of their homeward path. "It strikes me we shall have
to hang out here till the clouds roll by, Joey."

"All very well. How about grub?" said the poet. "We shall be just
about what-do-you-call-it by then."

"Hullo," said Magnus, looking at his watch, "do you know it's 11 p.m.
and broad daylight."

Joe consulted his watch, and wound it up as he did so.

"So it is--must be a thingamybob--a roaring boreali, or whatever you
call it, going on. Wouldn't be so bad if it was good to eat."

Magnus assented, and the two outcasts stood and watched with somewhat
mingled feelings the battalion of clouds as they swirled past and soared
up at the heights above.

"May as well go upstairs too," said the poet, dismally. So they began
the ascent. This time Magnus showed no inclination to forge ahead, and
Joe took every precaution not to lag behind. In fact, they proceeded
arm in arm, trying to enjoy it, but inwardly wondering who would have
the benefit of their supper at Llandudno.

It was easy enough going; the turf was crisp and soft, and as they got
up a little, flowers began to peep out. Though they could not see
through the mists, they fancied they could catch the sound of birds and
the splash of water. The clouds, sweeping up on every side, seemed to
help them along, so that sometimes they could hardly be quite sure
whether they were walking on earth or air. Altogether, had they but
dined, they would have voted the walk one of the jolliest they ever had
in their lives.

Presently a strange sound above brought them suddenly to a halt. It was
music of some sort, but mingling with it the even sweeter music of
plates and knives and forks; and when for a moment the music ceased,
they seemed to detect voices